Although Brits face challenges with rodents, bed bugs, flies and insects, fleas and spiders all-year-round in domestic and commercial spaces, its generally the Summer where infestations occur. There are methods and products available to control pests, such as traps, spray and chemicals, though in worst scenarios, professional assistance can be required.

Recent data indicates that pest infestations have generally gotten worse in the UK over recent years. According to data from the Direct Line Group, Council made 291,132 visits to UK homes to deal with pest infestations in 2024. This figure was up 3% on 2023 and 9% on 2022.

Though 91% of the visits were to tackle rodent infestations, data suggests that visits to deal with bed bug infestations have increased by a third in just two years. Moreover, cockroach removals rose by 13% from 2022 to 2024.

Worryingly, for local businesses and communities alike, council-operated pest control services are decreasing, with 24% of all local authorities no longer offer pest control services, leaving residents and businesses to seek private solutions or tackle infestations internally.

What Causes Pest Infestations?

Pest infestations can be caused by a variety of factors – all pest need are essential resources to survive and thrive.

Food Sources

Inappropriate Food Storage: If foods are accessible and improperly sealed in pantries, kitchens or storage facilities, they provide easy meals for ants, rodents, cockroaches and flies, and even pet food can attract the attention of pests.

Poor Waste Management: Overflowing and unsealed bins offer ready food sources for pests, in both indoors and outdoor settings. Businesses such as restaurants, catering and food storage businesses are particularly at risk.

Water Sources

Pipes & Faucets: Pests require a water source to survive, and even small leaky in plumbing can provide a constant water source for pests to thrive.

Standing Water: Any stagnant water sources, such as plant pots, water bowls, ponds and garden water or clogged gutters can attract insects and provide breeding grounds for pests.

Humidity: Damp environments like kitchens or bathrooms with poor ventilation can attract pests such as silverfish and cockroaches, whilst contributing to the growth of mould, which can provide feed for pests.

Shelter & Nesting

  • Clutter
  • Cracks & openings
  • Vegetation
  • Infestations Carried Indoors

Easy Access Points

  • Unsealed Doors & Windows
  • Gapes Around Pipes & Wires
  • Poorly Fitted Pipes & Drains

Most Common Pests in UK Homes

Rats & Mice

Rodents are considered major pets due to their tendency to spread diseases, contaminate food and sauce major damage by chewing electrical wires and property – rats and mice can breed rapidly for quick and significant infestations in domestic and commercial properties.

Bed Bugs

Small nocturnal insects that feed on human blood, bed bugs are unpleasant insects that cause itchy bites and are notoriously tricky to remove once established and can spread via travel and second-hand furniture.

Cockroaches

Notoriously resilient, cockroaches can thrive in warm, damp environments and spread diseases. These adaptable creatures live in various conditions and can feed on virtually anything.

Wasps

A particular problem during the warm Summer months, wasps are aggressive and particularly dangerous to those with allergies. Large nests and infestations are likely to require professional removals.

Flies

Flies carry a range of diseases, including food poisoning bacteria, and are common attached to food and waste.

Fleas

A common issue for households with dogs, fleas can infest homes and cause irritating bites to humans and pets.

What can Businesses & Homeowners do about Pests?

Prevention

The best way to avoid infestations is to prevent pests from establishing. Maintaining and sanitising all areas, particularly kitchens, food storage and waste disposal areas is an essential, promptly cleaning up spills and crumbs and ensuring all surfaces and floors are clean and clutter-free.

Proper food storage and waste management is an essential way to prevent pest infestations, such as ensuring all food sources are in airtight containers and bins and their odours are inaccessible for pests.

Businesses and homeowners whose property is particularly vulnerable to pest infestations can seal entry points, such as cracks, holes and gaps in walls, foundations, windows, doors and utility entrances.

Eradicating Pest Infestations

Once pests are detected, it’s imperative that businesses and homeowners quickly address the situation to tackle infestation. From traps, baits and insecticides or pesticides to natural repellents, there can be an array of effective pest control supplies, killers and deterrents available for use before the use of professional pest control services is required.

Pest Control from Pound Wholesale

Pound Wholesale are leading wholesale providers of domestic pest control supplies, pest killers and deterrents, offering great savings on basic DIY methods for businesses and homeowners alike in attempt to control pests. From rats, mice and rodents to fleas, ants, flies, wasps, spiders, crawling insects and slugs or snails, Pound Wholesale’s comprehensive selection of pest control supplies includes everything from spray, powders and chemicals to traps, electronic devices, fly swatters and door and window screens to give businesses and homeowners every chance of preventing and eradicating pest infestations.

What Our Data Says About UK Pest Control

Data Property of Pound Wholesale

Though 91% of all council call outs are for rat and rodent infestations, that doesn’t necessarily translate to the percentage of units sold, as Brits look to battle pest problems and infestations internally using Pound Wholesale’s effect pest control, killers and deterrents. Though Mouse & Rat is in the lead, Fly & Wasp, Mosquito and Flea pest control products are not far behind.

Pound Wholesale’s top selling pest control products include remedies for a range of pests, with various types of products prevalent as Brits look to battle pests commercially and domestically. Various pest control products have been among Pound Wholesale’s top selling products per month across all categories, indicating the scale of challenges many UK businesses and homeowners face.

Data property of Pound Wholesale

Pound Wholesale have proudly supported thousands of customers with pest control products across various customer category types, but retailers, both in-store and online, far exceed the others, as retailers look to provide excellent value for their customers and general consumers. Interestingly, Pound Wholesale have provided vast quantities of pest control supplies to professional services, and importers and exporters, indicating that there is demand amongst our international customers and general international consumers for pest killers and deterrents.